Natural hot springs are fed by underground pools and streams that are heated by Earth’s geothermal heat. They typically contain more than a dozen minerals including sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium, sulfate, silica, and zinc, which are believed to help relieve achy muscles, improve skin, and provide many other benefits. While hot springs are found all over the world, Colorado - including a stop in Durango - has an abundance of them, creating the perfect hot springs loop!
Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop
This ultimate 800-mile tour across Western Colorado takes you to eight amazing towns and 23 hot springs. With the Rocky Mountains as your backdrop, you’ll enjoy all of the different experiences found throughout this spectacular Colorado Historic Hot Springs Loop. Some establishments offer a relaxation-focused environment with vapor caves and adult-only terraces, while others include fun-filled water parks.
Durango
Your hub to Southwest Colorado and the Four Corners region, Durango offers the perfect place to rejuvenate, whether you’re a local or traveling through.
Once known as Trimble Spa & Natural Hot Springs, Durango Hot Springs is now a 32-pool spa with cold plunges, private Ofuro tubs, and a swimming pool. Spa treatments and concessions are also available on-site. Located in the Animas Valley, just ten minutes north of downtown Durango, this is a convenient and stunning location to relax.
Pagosa Springs
Recharge after a long day exploring the surrounding wilderness or skiing at Wolf Creek Ski Area.
Centrally located in Pagosa Springs, The Springs Resort & Spa is a full-service resort featuring luxury rooms, spa treatments, and pools along the San Juan River. All stem from the Mother Spring, which is over 1,000 feet deep, allowing you to choose from over 50 pools ranging in size, temperature, and views.
Healing Waters Resort & Spa is just across the street from The Springs, offering a smaller, but no less enjoyable, hot springs experience. The large, mineral-filled swimming pool is perfect for families alongside the hot tub and on-site spa services. Overnight stays are ideal here, with the town’s amenities just a few blocks away.
A unique setting, the Overlook Hot Springs Spa is on the rooftop of a building in historic Pagosa Springs. This private setting offers amazing views and the choice of open-air, indoor, or private soaking. Enjoy beverages and spa services here as well.
Saguache County
Spanning the area between Alamosa and Salida, Saguache County is home to four wonderful hot springs, each offering something a little different.
Joyful Journey Hot Springs in the heart of the San Luis Valley creates a restorative atmosphere with multiple pools. Make it an overnight excursion in one of their hotel rooms, tipis, all-season yurts, or RV and camp sites. They host retreats for individuals and groups, and the space is available to rent as a venue.
Only 30 minutes from the Great Sand Dunes National Park, Sand Dunes Recreation offers a mountain desert destination. A large outdoor pool, a 21+ greenhouse pool area, camping, a restaurant, and more can be found here in Hooper, CO.
Splashland Hot Springs and Orient Land Trust & Valley View Hot Springs are two additional hot spring facilities in the Saguache County area.
Chaffee County
Just north of Saguache County, Chaffee County includes the cities of Salida and Buena Vista, as well as a handful of one-of-a-kind hot springs.
Between Buena Vista and Salida, nestled at the base of Mount Princeton - a 14,000-foot-plus peak in the Collegiate Peaks range - you’ll find Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort. Soak in the natural waters at the Historic Bathhouse, Infinity Pool with Twin Waterslides, or even in Chalk Creek. The on-site lodge and cabins are perfect for a mountain getaway, along with luxury spa and club amenities.
On the north side of Mount Princeton, Cottonwood Hot Springs Inn & Spa is set along Cottonwood Creek and is perfect for a soak, stay, and spa treatment. They have multiple artisan pools, professional massage therapists, and cozy accommodations including a lodge, cabins, dormitories, RV sites, and tent camping sites for the perfect weekend getaway.
Discover the quaint Antero Hot Spring in Nathrop, CO, and the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center for an in-town swimming option.
Ouray
Known as the “Switzerland of America”, Ouray is a special Southwest Colorado town surrounded by cliff faces, with the Uncompahgre River flowing through.
The can’t-miss Ouray Hot Springs Pool & Fitness Center is Ouray’s largest hot springs destination, offering five spacious pools for soaking, swimming laps, and playing. Enjoy a wide variety of other on-site amenities, plus all of the town's offerings just steps away.
Box Canyon Lodge & Hot Springs, The Historic Wiesbaden Hot Springs Spa & Lodgings, and Twin Peaks Lodge & Hot Springs are three in-town places to stay and soak for the ultimate vacation in Ouray.
Steamboat Springs, Glenwood Springs, and Carbondale
Farther north in Colorado, Steamboat Springs, Glenwood Springs, and Carbondale are home to six more hot springs.
Steamboat Springs includes Strawberry Park Hot Springs and Old Town Hot Springs, each offering something a little different, from a rustic retreat to an all-inclusive recreation center.
Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, Iron Mountain Hot Springs, and Yampah Spa Hot Spring Vapor Cave are amazing places to try a variety of pools, vapor caves, and unique spa services in Glenwood Springs.
Take in the views and mountain air at Avalanche Ranch Cabins & Hot Springs in Carbondale.
Whether you complete the whole loop or just a few stops along the way, you’re sure to be impressed by the array of natural hot springs and resorts in Colorado. We’re lucky to have Durango Hot Springs in our hometown and would love to share more local things to do - and why we love living here - with you. For more information, please contact The Durango Team at The Wells Group.
